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Gaffer's Update

1st Team Manager - Tim Dixon

Following our excellent win over Faversham Town on Saturday, 1st Team Manager, Tim Dixon, spoke to the website regarding the recent changes to his squad and the accompanying injury crisis the
club has gone through. Over to Tim...

“Firstly, two players have left after receiving approaches from other clubs. Lewis Mingle advised me that he was leaving the club on Friday evening, which meant I had to shuffle the pack before
the Faversham game.

Lewis has decided to join Phoenix Sports who are currently sitting on top of the South East Counties League and are in the 5th Round of the FA Vase.

Also leaving is Jack Sullivan who we had on loan from Maidstone United. There was some interest from both Leatherhead and Faversham Town for Jack, and he has decided to join the fight for
promotion with Faversham.

I spoke to Faversham Manager, Ray Turner, last week to let him know that we would be releasing Jack after the game against them, as there was a similar agreement with Sam Bewick being released to
join us.

My thanks go to both Lewis and Jack for their efforts whilst with the Cannons and I’d like to wish them both the best of luck for the future. We also recently lost Ashley Miller to our neighbours
Folkestone so good luck to Ashley as well.

On the plus side, we have also made a couple of exciting signings ourselves. The much-publicised return of Shaun Welford has gone down very well with our supporters, and we are delighted to have
him on board for our battle until the end of the season, and hopefully next season as well.

Also as mentioned above, returning to the club is Sam Bewick, who joins us from Faversham. He is a player I rate very highly and he is just what we need at this stage of the season.

A quick update with injuries, Luke Harvey has started light training again and we hope to see him back in the squad within two weeks. It's important that we get it right this time as he came back
a bit too soon against Ramsgate and aggravated his thigh injury, he will be a very important player for us in the coming weeks.

There is worse news with Dan Eason, he requires an operation on his knee after he sustained a posterior cruciate ligament tear and will be out for the rest of the season, but Dan is a top keeper
who I’m sure will come back even stronger than before.

Josh Burchell came into the starting line-up at left-back on Saturday and put in a man of the match display after being out for a month. Not only did he get ninety minutes under his belt, but
showed his experience in a position he has always excelled in when asked to play there.

Rhys Lawson also joined the club recently, but after making an appearance at Ramsgate he sustained ankle ligament damage whilst slipping on ice so will be out for a while.

Craig Cloke sustained hairline fractures of his fibula and tibia way back in September against Horsham, which a second x-ray picked up after it hadn’t initially been spotted. He actually played
that night as we were extremely short of players, and due to his nature and the warrior that he is he just got on with it.

In hindsight, we would never have played him. Unfortunately, Craig hasn’t returned to the club since, but he will always be welcomed back.

Lastly, when trying to improve the squad and bring the right players in, we have to make room for them somehow. This is the reason that Dave Cook is currently getting some games down at Lydd
Town.

Cookie has been a fantastic servant to Hythe Town and still has a lot to give, but at this moment in time the budget only stretches so far. I've taken a bit of stick from certain quarters with
regards to Cookie, but as a Manager you have to make big decisions and stick by them.

I hope everybody can stay positive as we continue our battle away from the dangerous area of the Ryman League and thank you for your continued support."

Originally Published - 03/02/15

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